Mid-Century MB51 Modern Sideboard by Fanco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950s

About This Piece

Vintage Design

Mid-Century Modern Sideboard MB 51 by Fanco Albini for Poggi, Italy, 1950s. Sideboard with 3 doors, which features a simplistic design with sharp lines. Due to the tapered high legs, the sideboard has an open and elegant appearance. The extravagant shaped handles are a nice detail to the reserved design which contributes to the radiance of the visual qualities of the wood. Franco Albini (born 1905 in Robbiate) was a key figure in Italian design and so called rationalism. He collaborated with the design studios Ponti and Lancia after completing his studies in 1929 and worked on broader social means of architecture after the war, collaborating with Franca Helg, e.g. designing the Milan Metro. Albini worked for companies including Brionvega, Cassina, Arflex, Arteluce and Poggi. In 1928 Albini designed the now-iconic "Albini Desk", combining steel, glass and wood with a striking minimalistic balance, and introduced by Knoll in 1949. In 1950, he designed the famous and fashionable "Margherita" and "Gala" chairs, made of woven cane. Wear consistent with age and use.

Click here for full description Close description

Creator	Franco Albini
Manufacturer	Arflex
Design Period	1950 to 1959
Production Period	1950 to 1959
Country of Manufacture	Italy
Identifying Marks	This piece is attributed to the above-mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark
Style	Vintage
Detailed Condition	Good — This vintage item remains fully functional, but it shows sign of age through scuffs, dings, faded finishes, minimal upholstery defects, or visible repairs.
Product Code	FGA-1328649
Restoration and Damage Details	Wear consistent with age and use.
Materials	Wood
Color	Brown
Width	182 cm 182 cm
Depth	47 cm 47 cm
Height	77 cm 77 cm
Weight Range	Standard — Between 40kg and 80kg

Shipping & Delivery

Ships from	Belgium
Returns	Returns accepted within fourteen days of delivery, except for Made-to-order items
Carbon Neutral	For every purchase made, Pamono offsets 100% of estimated carbon emissions from global shipping.

Delivery Options

Front Door Delivery: (Included in Every Order)	A skilled driver will unload the item(s) from the delivery truck and bring it to your building’s doorstep. You will be responsible for further transport beyond that point. We recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand; alternatively, you may upgrade to In-Home Delivery (see below). The delivery partner will email and/or call you at least one day in advance to arrange a delivery time. A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection. Item will be left in its packaging after delivery. A signature will be required upon delivery.
In-Home Delivery: (For in-home delivery service, additional fees apply. Please get in touch)	A skilled driver or a team of two will bring your item(s) inside your home and place it in the immediate entryway. For unusually large or heavy items, we recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand, as we cannot send more than 2 drivers. The delivery partner will email and/or call you one day in advance to arrange a delivery time. A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection. Item will be left in its packaging after delivery. A signature will be required upon delivery.

Front Door Delivery:
(Included in Every Order)

A skilled driver will unload the item(s) from the delivery truck and bring it to your building’s doorstep. You will be responsible for further transport beyond that point. We recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand; alternatively, you may upgrade to In-Home Delivery (see below).
The delivery partner will email and/or call you at least one day in advance to arrange a delivery time.
A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection.
Item will be left in its packaging after delivery.
A signature will be required upon delivery.

In-Home Delivery:
(For in-home delivery service, additional fees apply. Please get in touch)

A skilled driver or a team of two will bring your item(s) inside your home and place it in the immediate entryway. For unusually large or heavy items, we recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand, as we cannot send more than 2 drivers.
The delivery partner will email and/or call you one day in advance to arrange a delivery time.
A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection.
Item will be left in its packaging after delivery.
A signature will be required upon delivery.

*Important Note

Please examine every order upon delivery. In the event that there are visible signs of damage or missing or incorrect pieces, please indicate the problem on the Delivery Note and contact us within 48 hours of delivery. A signed delivery receipt without notations of missing, damaged, or incorrect item(s) represents your acceptance of the complete order in perfect condition.

About the Maker

Arflex

Italian furniture manufacturing company Arflex was originally founded in Milan 1947 by a team of engineers—Carlo Barassi, Renato Teani, Pio Reggiani, and Aldo Bai—from Italian tire company Pirelli. While exploring new technologies in rubber production, they developed a new polyurethane foam and elastic tape that held great potential for modernist furniture design. Italian architect-designer Marco Zanuso (1916-2001) was brought in to create the first collections, guided by the principle that the new materials would inform the aesthetic result.

In 1951, Arflex unveiled its first piece, Zanuso’s Lady Armchair, which won the gold medal at Milan’s IX Triennale and helped catapult Arflex to international acclaim. Other successful designs by Zanuso were introduced over the years, such as the Sleep-o-matic Sofa (1951), the Martingala Armchair (1952), and the Fourline Armchair (1964).

Starting in 1952, Arflex began to work with other Italian architect-designers to broaden their product line. Standouts from the postwar era include the Fiorenza Armchair (1952) by Franco Albini, the Neptunia (1953) and Elettra (1954) collections by BBPR, the Delfino collection (1954) by Erberto Carboni, and the Bobo Lounge (1967) and Serpentone Lounge (1971) by Cini Boeri. Through the decades, Arflex has worked with an astounding roster of influential talents: Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Roberto Manghi, , Joe Colombo, Tito Agnoli, Carlo Mollino, Michele De Lucchi, Yaacov Kaufman, Ettore Sottsass, and Angelo Mangiarotti.

Between 1951 and 1954, Arflex also produced car seats for Fiat. These seats, designed by Barassi, were adjustable and offered superior comfort thanks to the suppleness of the polyurethane foam rubber. In 1966—in collaboration with Italian furniture brands Cassina, Tecno, and Bernini—Arflex created the legendary design magazine Ottagono, which is still in publication today. In 1969, Arflex Japan was founded, followed by Arflex du Brazil in 1970.

The company trademark was bought by Seven Salotti Spa in 1995, and a number of discontinued designs were put back into production. In 2007, Arflex celebrated its 60th anniversary with a large-scale exhibition of works from the brand’s historical mounted in Milan during Salone del Mobile.

Arflex is celebrated for its incredible legacy working with iconic designers who have won numerous awards, and Arflex designs can be found in museums around the world, like the Triennale Museum in Milan, the Triennale Museum in Tokyo, the MoMa in New York, and the Chicago Athenaeum.

*All images courtesy of Arflex